"Are you too nervous?" Seeing the ministers speaking in unison, Yelvjing remained calm and even relaxed, saying with a smile: "I think the Han Dynasty is still very friendly! For thousands of years, the Southern Dynasties have been fighting chaos.
Cycle, it is understandable that all potential monarchs want to seek unity.
Liao and Han have been in harmony for many years. Although there is a slight friction, it does not affect the overall situation. This is a matter that is beneficial to the people of the two countries. If the Han emperor was wise enough, he would not start a war between the two countries, which would only waste national power and ruin lives.
..."
Such words would not be surprising if they were spoken by a weak emperor from the Central Plains, but when they were spoken by Yelujing, they were really surprising. Xiao Husi immediately said: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because the Emperor of Han is a capable lord.
He must have plans in all directions. Looking at the historical policies of the Southern Dynasties, is there any hero who unified the Central Plains and did not initiate the Northern Expedition?
In my opinion, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty was indeed a great man. His brilliance, prowess, and weapons were as powerful as his Majesty's. He also wielded great power, had a firm will, and always displayed his toughness to others.
You must know that back then, with less than 10,000 troops, they dared to attack Taizong's army returning to the north, causing the disaster of Luan City..."
When Xiao Husi said this, Yelujing suddenly sneered twice: "You mean, Privy Council Bei, that I am not as good as the Han Emperor?"
"I don't dare!" Xiao Husi's heart tightened, and when he met Yelujing's gaze, he felt a little regretful. Why did he say everything out loud?
Because of the heavy damage caused by the Battle of Luancheng and the loss of the results of Taizong's southern expedition, there have been some discussions on this issue in the Liao Kingdom in recent years, with the intention of summarizing some experiences and lessons. Although Yelv Deguang had summarized the "three losses",
But that's a little superficial and not profound enough.
However, if we want to do some in-depth review and summary, we cannot help but talk about Yelu Deguang. There is a saying that Yelu Deguang bears a large part of the responsibility for the weakening of the Liao Kingdom ten years ago. As a son, Yelu Jing certainly
She wanted to protect herself, so later Yelujing simply stopped reviewing the past. Of course, she didn’t say it, but she understood in her heart and worked hard. The policies of the Liao monarchs and ministers in recent years to stabilize the government and support the people were based on the national conditions.
, the practice of comparing lessons.
At the same time, because the outcome of the Battle of Luancheng was too tragic, Yelvjing also deliberately downplayed its impact. That battle also had a serious impact on people's hearts. When Yelvruan insisted on the southern expedition, why were so many people from top to bottom?
People are against it, and soldiers are less willing to fight. This is one of the reasons.
Therefore, when Xiao Husi talked about this matter in front of Yelujing, he felt as if he had made a mistake with his words, and he felt regretful in his heart.
However, Yelujing quickly regained his composure and said with a chuckle: "Looking at the Han Emperor's actions, he is indeed a great leader. I may not be like him!"
Seeing what Yelujing said, Xiao Husi immediately praised him for his elegance and magnanimity, which was far superior to that of Liu Chengyou.
After Xiao Hu thought about it, Yelu House stood up again and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty should know that when the Han Dynasty was first established, Hebei had not yet been pacified, and the Central Plains had not yet been surrendered. The Han Lord, who was still a prince at that time, dared to return all the sacrifices
Yan soldiers surrendered their troops to Zhao Yanshou, and ordered them to send surprise troops north to attack Youzhou while I was unprepared. The ten years of hard work of our dynasty were wiped out, and the situation in Hebei was completely destroyed, making it easy for them to conquer.
In this way, we can establish a foothold in the strong city of Youzhou, guard against our army, and compete with our dynasty without falling into a disadvantage. At that time, the Han Emperor was so courageous, which also shows that he has a very far-sighted vision, and his vision clearly has an overview of the overall situation. This is true
He is a dangerous person with ambitions for the world.
In these years, he has devoted himself to developing national and military power and focusing on pacifying the south. However, in the north, the defense against Daliao has never been relaxed. I even guessed that he was already preparing for a war with our country. When Sejong Nan
With the army marching southward and the Central Plains Hebei fighting northward, the Han emperor had the determination to fight against the Liao Dynasty with all the strength of the country, and now the Han Dynasty has become increasingly powerful.
Although the Han Dynasty had Youzhou, the dangers of Yanshan Mountain were mostly in the hands of the Liao Dynasty. Therefore, the Liao cavalry could travel across the north and south, enter and exit the Yan fortress freely, and military operations could always be controlled by overcoming the fortress. Such a situation was not the case for the Han Dynasty.
What a monarch like the emperor can tolerate.
Your Majesty also said that there was a "great unification" in the Southern Dynasty. Although the Yanyun states were cut off from the hands of the younger emperor, how could the Han emperor sit back and watch them being held by the Liao Dynasty without any intention of marching north to regain them?
Therefore, I believe that there must be a life-and-death battle between Liao and Han. Your Majesty must not be careless, let alone have any illusions about the Southern Dynasty. Daliao should really be prepared!"
After listening to Yelu Wuzhi's remarks, the drunkenness on Yelujing's face obviously dissipated a little, his eyes became bright and sharp, he pondered for a while and said: "Then let's talk about it, what should Daliao do in the face of the threat of Han?
response?"
In the official history, Zhou Shizong's Northern Expedition captured Yingmoji Sanguan. Xiao Siwen suggested increasing troops to recapture it. Yelujing responded by saying that it was originally Han land and it was not a pity to lose it and it was left to be taken. So many people despised him for this.
, saying that he had neglected military affairs and was ignorant and incompetent.
However, if you analyze it carefully, you can find that the Sixteenth Prefecture of Yanyun and the land of Yingmo are just a protrusion to the south, planted on the branches and leaves of the trunk of a big tree. The Zhou army wanted to capture it, but the Liao people could not defend it.
However, if Chai Rong returns without illness and continues to go deep north to attack Youzhou and recapture the fortresses of the Yanshan states, do you think Yelujing will sit back and watch and let him attack.
In the same period of the later Zhou Dynasty in official history, although the national power recovered, the military gradually became stronger, and the southward and westward expeditions also achieved significant results. However, after all, it was difficult to pose a great threat to the Liao Kingdom, which occupied all the northern territory.
But today's Han Dynasty is a powerful empire that is not restrained by the Northern Han Dynasty and is about to complete the historical mission of unification. The pressure it brings to the Liao Kingdom is also incomparable. Under such circumstances, how can Yelujing really maintain his position?
That leisure and calmness, sleeping, drinking, and hunting peacefully?
The ministers knew about this situation contrast, how could Yelu Jing not know about it? The worries of Yelu Wuzhi and others may not be Yelu Jing's concerns, but if you want to break that situation, there is no other option except war.
Yelujing's real concern was whether the use of war could achieve his goals. Once Han and Liao fought, the collision and competition between the two empires would not be resolved in one or two battles.
At the beginning, Taizong Yelu Deguang exhausted all the national power and went south three times. It was only when Shi Jin was in chaos that he succeeded in destroying Jin. Now facing a Han Dynasty that is far stronger than Shi Jin, even if the Liao Kingdom has recovered for so many years, it can
Success?
"Since there must be a battle between Han and Liao, it would be better to fight early and decide the situation early! It is also in line with military principles to strike first!" Facing Yelujing's gaze, Yelu Wuzhi expressed his thoughts: "Now, since the Southern Dynasty is committed to pacification
In the south of the Yangtze River, it is natural to defend the north and focus on stability. It does not want to conflict with our country and buys time for it to pacify the south.
We have allowed them to seize Huainan, Jinghu and Sichuan. In Han Chinese terms, the world is ten points and they already have seven points. We can no longer sit back and watch them successfully complete their strategic plans.
The minister thought that he could change his strategy towards the Han Dynasty and prevent it from unifying the south. As long as the Southern Dynasties could not be unified, he would not be able to deal with the Liao Kingdom with all his strength. And without the restraint of the Liao Dynasty, the small country in the south of the Yangtze River would be unable to resist the Han army. At the same time, the Great Liao Kingdom would not be able to resist the Han army.
If Liao sends troops, it can also inspire the will of the countries south of the Yangtze River to resist the Han Dynasty!"
"In this case, doesn't it mean that Daliao is working hard for the survival of the countries south of the Yangtze River?" Yelujing said.
Yelu Wuzhi: "Your Majesty, this is a mutually reinforcing thing. Daliao is for national strategy, for world hegemony, for attacking and containing powerful enemies, and it is related to vital interests!"
"In your opinion, should I agree to the Southern Tang envoy's request?" Yelujing said suddenly.
Previously, on the mission of Tang Prince Li Hongji, Chen Chuyao, a minister of the Tang Dynasty, secretly went to the north to contact and discuss forming an alliance to jointly deal with the Han Dynasty. Yelvjing was hesitant and did not directly agree, but did not return it, but kept it with her.
Until now.
Yelu Wuzhi said: "I think it's okay!"
At this time, Xiao Husi stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I found out in Kaifeng that the prince Li Hongji of the Southern Tang Dynasty who urged the alliance with the Liao Dynasty has been deposed. The specific reason is an internal palace change!"
"You see! The small country in the south of the Yangtze River is still internally restless and cannot be used for great purposes. How can it be the opponent of the Han Dynasty? Unless the Liao Dynasty goes all out to the south, how can it prevent its unification?"